Mr. Katz and Me

When a young girl meets an elderly Russian immigrant who wants, at last, to celebrate his bar mitzvah, she comes to learn that true friendship knows no age.

Sarah often listens when her father tutors students for the Bar or Bat Mitzvah.  She enjoys hearing the boys and girl learn Hebrew and sing.

When a new student arrives, a wrinkled man named Mr. Katz, Sarah is confused. He is older than 13. Much older. How can he have a Bar Mitzvah? Why do his hands shake and sometimes he forgets his book?

But  Mr. Katz has a beautiful voice and he likes watching birds with her.

As Sarah and Mr. Katz slowly become friends, she learns about former Soviet Union, where he was born.

It was dangerous to be Jewish there, but after immigrating to America and meeting Sarah's family, he has a new chance to have his Bar Mitzvah, even at 81 years young. Inspired by the life experiences of the author's own grandfather, a Russian Jewish immigrant himself.